Ottawa police have arrested a snowplow operator who was legally prohibited from ever getting behind the wheel again. The incident occurred following a two-vehicle collision in the Stittsville area on Monday night.
Collision Details and Police Response
The crash happened at approximately 7:00 p.m. on Monday, January 7, 2024, at the intersection of Fernbank Road and Black’s Side Road. According to the Ottawa Police Service, an SUV collided with a stationary snowplow at that location.
The driver of the SUV was transported to a local hospital with injuries described as non-life-threatening. The operator of the snowplow, however, became the focus of a subsequent police investigation.
Lifetime Ban and Additional Charges
Upon investigation, police discovered that the snowplow driver was under a "lifetime" driving suspension, a court-ordered ban that permanently revokes an individual's privilege to drive. As a result, the operator was immediately arrested and charged with driving while under suspension.
Further checks revealed that the individual was also wanted by the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) on outstanding matters. Police have not released the specific reasons for the provincial warrant or the original cause of the lifetime driving ban.
Ongoing Investigation and Community Impact
The Ottawa Police Service confirmed the arrest in a social media post and subsequent statements. As of Wednesday morning, they indicated that no further details about the case would be released at this time, as the investigation remains active.
Incidents involving drivers who blatantly ignore severe court orders, such as lifetime bans, raise significant public safety concerns. This case highlights the challenges of enforcing driving prohibitions, especially for operators of commercial or municipal vehicles like snowplows during critical winter operations.
The community of Stittsville is left awaiting more information as authorities continue to piece together the events leading to the crash and the background of the prohibited driver.
